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PROPOSED REVISION TO SECTION 9.03 OF COUNCIL OPERATING <br /> AGREEMENTS -FEBRUARY 8, 2005 <br /> CURRENT SECTION 9 IN COUNCIL OPERATING AGREEMENTS <br /> 9. REPRESENTING CITY POSITIONS AND PERSONAL POSITIONS <br /> 9.01 Written Communications from City Councilors and Mayor <br /> In written communication with other officials or groups and in letters for publication, such as "to the editor," <br /> the Mayor and councilors should be careful to decide whether to speak only for themselves or for the <br /> Council. In speaking for the Council, when there is a position which the writer wishes to reinforce or explain, <br /> it is useful to circulate a copy to the Council for comment before the letter is mailed. Letters to other elected <br /> officials or agencies on City issues shall be discussed with the appropriate staff so that the City lobby effort <br /> can be coordinated. <br /> When writing as an individual, a councilor or the Mayor is free to take any position which he or she feels is <br /> appropriate. When it is a point of view different from a Council position, this fact should be included in the <br /> letter. Use of City stationery and choice of pronouns shall be left to the discretion of the councilor or the <br /> Mayor. <br /> The governing principle is to advise the Council or staff when expressing a City position, and to make <br /> differences clear when spe 'gas an iii ~ 'dual. <br /> ~ ~ ~ <br /> 9.02 Sta Federal L" bying , <br /> The effectiv ess of City 1 bying in S m or in Washington, .C., pends on e clarity ' City's <br /> voice. When. councilors or the Mayor represent the City in a lobbying situation, it is appropriate that the <br /> councilors or the Mayor avoid expressions of personal dissent from an adopted Council policy. This policy <br /> is stated in Resolution No. 4139, Council Policy on Testimony and Funding Applications. <br /> A councilor or the Mayor in disagreement with an adopted policy should not be deprived of the right to <br /> express such views to the appropriate officials at another time and another place. However, the councilor or <br /> the Mayor should feel bound to advise those to whom such disagreement is expressed that it is an individual <br /> view and that the Council has taken a different position. <br /> 9.03 Attending Conferences, Other Meetings <br /> Councilors and the Mayor are encouraged to attend conferences and training sessions which would enhance <br /> their skills and knowledge. Any councilor or the Mayor may attend any meeting at which the Council is <br /> represented, but only the official Council representative, not the attending councilor, has the right to vote. <br /> Councilors or the Mayor should not state that they are representing the Council, unless one of them has been <br /> asked by the Council to be its representative on an issue. <br /> When councilors or the Mayor attend meetings of organizations such as the League of Oregon Cities or the <br /> <br /> National League of Cities and their boards and committees, they do so as individual elected officials and <br /> shall be free to express their individual views. If the City Council has an adopted policy relating to an issue <br /> <br /> under discussion, the Councilor is expected to report that fact. <br /> C:\Documents and Settings\cewakac\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Fi]es\OLKCE\Proposed9Sect0502081.doc <br /> <br />